Methods, systems and devices for selecting advertisements based on media profiles and advertisement profiles

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments for determining a media profile for media content. The media profile comprises a media metric for each of a plurality of portions of the media content. Further, embodiments include determining a price for advertising associated with the media content. In addition, embodiments include identifying an advertisement profile for each of a plurality of advertisements. The advertisement profile comprises an ad metric for each of a plurality of portions of an advertisement. Also, embodiments include selecting a first advertisement associated with a first advertisement profile from the plurality of advertisements according to the media profile, the first advertisement profile, and the price for the advertising associated with the media content. Further, embodiments include providing the first advertisement to be presented with the media content at a playback device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/941,296, filed Mar. 30, 2018. All sections of the aforementionedapplication(s) and/or patent(s) are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a selecting advertisements based onmedia profiles and advertisement profiles.

BACKGROUND

Advertisements for media content have been selected based on advertiserspurchasing advertising space associated with the media content.Advertisers traditionally purchase advertising space based on popularityof the media content or the demographics of the viewers for the mediacontent or related media content (e.g. past episodes of the mediacontent).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for selectingadvertisement based on media profiles and advertisement profiles;

FIGS. 2A-2B depicts illustrative embodiments of a system for selectingadvertisement based on media profiles and advertisement profiles;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide advertisement services for media content;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems for advertisement managementservices for media content;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for determining a media profile for media content. The mediaprofile comprises a media metric for each of a plurality of portions ofthe media content. Further, embodiments include determining a price foradvertising associated with the media content. In addition, embodimentsinclude identifying an advertisement profile for each of a plurality ofadvertisements. The advertisement profile comprises an ad metric foreach of a plurality of portions of an advertisement. Also, embodimentsinclude selecting a first advertisement associated with a firstadvertisement profile from the plurality of advertisements according tothe media profile, the first advertisement profile, and the price forthe advertising associated with the media content. Further, embodimentsinclude providing the first advertisement to be presented with the mediacontent at a playback device. Other embodiments are described in thesubject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device. Thedevice comprises a processing system including a processor and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations. Operations caninclude determining a media profile for media content. The media profilecomprises a media metric for each of a plurality of portions of themedia content resulting in a plurality of media metrics. Furtheroperations include determining a price for advertising associated withthe media content. Additional can operations include identifying anadvertisement profile for each of a plurality of advertisementsresulting in a plurality of advertisement profiles. The advertisementprofile comprises an ad metric for each of a plurality of portions of anadvertisement resulting in a plurality of ad metrics. Also, operationscan include selecting a first advertisement associated with a firstadvertisement profile from the plurality of advertisements according tothe media profile, the first advertisement profile, and the price forthe advertising associated with the media content. Further operationscan include providing the first advertisement to be presented with themedia content at a playback device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitory,machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations. Operations can include determining a mediaprofile for media content. The media profile comprises a media metricfor each of a plurality of portions of the media content resulting in aplurality of media metrics. Further operations can include determining aprice for advertising associated with the media content. Additionaloperations can include identifying an advertisement profile for each ofa plurality of advertisements resulting in a plurality of advertisementprofiles. The advertisement profile comprises an ad metric for each of aplurality of portions of an advertisement resulting in a plurality of admetrics. Also, operations can include detecting a type of playbackdevice for the advertising associated with the media content. Furtheroperations can include selecting a first advertisement associated with afirst advertisement profile from the plurality of advertisementsaccording to the media profile, the first advertisement profile, theprice for the advertising associated with the media content, and thetype of playback device. Further operations can include providing thefirst advertisement to be presented with the media content at theplayback device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can include determining, by a processing system including aprocessor a media profile for media content. The media profile comprisesa media metric for each of a plurality of portions of the media contentresulting in a plurality of media metrics. Further, the method caninclude determining, by the processing system, a price for advertisingassociated with the media content. In addition, the method can includeidentifying, by the processing system, an advertisement profile for eachof a plurality of advertisements resulting in a plurality ofadvertisement profiles. The advertisement profile comprises an ad metricfor each of a plurality of portions of an advertisement resulting in aplurality of ad metrics. Also, the method can include determining, bythe processing system, a type of playback medium for the media content.Further, the method can include selecting, by the processing system, afirst advertisement associated with a first advertisement profile fromthe plurality of advertisements according to the media profile, thefirst advertisement profile, the price for the advertising associatedwith the media content, and the type of playback medium. In addition,the method can include providing, by the processing system, the firstadvertisement to be presented with the media content at a playbackdevice.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 for selectingadvertisement based on media profiles and advertisement profiles. In oneor more embodiments, the system 100 includes an advertisement database102 associated with an advertisement server 108. The advertisementdatabase 102 can include an advertisement profile for each advertisementstored therein. The advertisement profile can include one or moreadvertisement metrics. The advertisement metrics can include theadvertisement viewership goals. Further, the system 100 includes a mediacontent database 104 associated with a media content server 110. Themedia content database 104 can include a media profile for each portionof media content stored therein. The media profile can include one ormore media metrics In addition, the system 100 includes a viewershipmetrics database 106 associated with a viewership metrics server 112.The viewership metrics can be for the viewership for the media contentstored in the media content database 104 or the viewership metrics fordifferent types of playback medium, playback devices, or types of mediacontent. In addition, the viewership metrics can include the historicalviewership of media content, portions of media content, or related mediacontent. Also, the viewership metrics can include the historicalviewership of previous advertisements associated with media content,portions of media content, or related media content. Further, theviewership metrics can include the level of interaction by viewers withsuch previous advertisements. For example, if a previous advertisementincluded a link to a website, the viewership metric can include a numberof people who accessed the link and viewed the website.

Also, the system 100 includes an advertisement management server (e.g.ad management server) 114. The system 100 can include users 124-130,each of which associated with a playback device 116-122. The playbackdevices 116-122 can present any type of media content including, butlimited to, on-demand content, broadcast content, streaming content,content provided from a digital video recorder, stored content, etc. Theplayback devices 116-122 can include a mobile device such as a laptopcomputer, tablet computer, smartphone or mobile phone, wearable devicesuch as a smart watch, media device such as a television, set top box,media processor, or computer, or any other computing device that candisplay media content and/or advertisements associated, overlaid,presented with, or embedded within the media content. Further, playbackdevices 116-122 can be called user devices or devices associated withusers 124-130. Further, each user 124-130 can view the media content oradvertisement in different ways such as through broadcast cable orsatellite programming, streaming media content, downloaded mediacontent, viewed from stored media content from a digital video recorder(DVR), etc. These different ways to view the media content oradvertisement can be called the playback medium. The ad managementserver 114 can provide advertisements within media content or associatedwith media content to any of the playback devices 116-122 based on oneor more media content profiles, one or more advertisement contentprofiles, media content metrics, advertisement metrics, viewershipmetrics, type of playback device, or type of playback medium. In someembodiments, one or more of the servers 108-114 can be integrated intoone another.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can determinethe media profile for media content. The media content and the mediaprofile can be provided to the ad management server 114 by the mediacontent server 110 accessed from the media content database 104. Themedia content can be provided to any of the playback devices 116-122 bythe ad management server 114. In some embodiments the media profile cancomprise a media metric for a portion of the media content. For example,a scene in a movie media content can be fun party in a courtyard of aluxury hotel in New York City. The media metrics for the scene caninclude laughter, people, outdoor, urban, and luxury. Each metric can bescored on a scale (e.g. 1-100) based on different criteria. For example,one criterion can be the percentage of time in the scene includeslaughter, people, an outdoor environment, urban environment, or luxuryitems. In other embodiments, the ad management server 114 can analyzethe media content using image recognition, voice recognition, or textrecognition techniques to determine the media profile and the mediametrics associated with the media content.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can detectobjects within the media content (using image recognition, voicerecognition, text recognition, etc.) associated with advertisementsstored in the advertisement database 102 such as a beverage, type ofcar, etc. In further embodiments, the ad management server 114 candetermine a correlation between the detected object and the subjectmatter of the media content. For example, ad management server 114 candetect a fast car in a movie such as Fast and the Furious. Further, thead management server 114 can correlate that the detected object (e.g.fast car) is related to the subject matter of the media content (e.g.Fast and Furious) to then obtain ads from the advertisement database 102via the advertisement server 110 relating to fast cars similar to thosefound in the media content.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can determinethe price for advertising associated with the media content. In someembodiments, the ad management server 114 can set a price based on theviewership metrics obtained from the viewership metrics database 106 andthe viewership metrics server 112. That is, the more viewership for themedia content or previous advertisements associated with the mediacontent indicated by the viewership metrics, the higher the price can beset by the ad management server 114 for current advertising. In otherembodiments, the ad management server 114 can determine the price foradvertising by notifying multiple advertisers that it is requesting abid for the advertising. In some embodiments, the notification ofmultiple advertisers can be based on bidding history. For example, thenotification of the multiple advertisers can be the higher previousbidders (above a predetermined bid threshold) correlated to a particulardetected object or particular subject matter of the media content. Themultiple advertisers can obtain the viewership metrics (e.g. historicalviewership, demographic viewership, etc.) for the media content orprevious advertisements associated with the media content. Further, thead management server 114 can receive a bid from each of the multipleadvertisers. In addition, the ad management server 114 can select anadvertisement from an advertiser based on the highest bid received fromthe multiple advertisers. In some embodiments, the advertisement isselected during the presentation of the media content and displayed inat the next advertisement placement (e.g. scene change) or presentedproximate to the presentation of the media content. In otherembodiments, if there is no bid received or no bid that satisfies apredetermined threshold or criteria, a default advertisement can bepresented.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can identify anadvertisement profile for each of a multiple advertisements accessed bythe advertisement database 102 and provided by the advertisement server108. The advertisement profile can comprise one or more ad metrics. Insome embodiments, the ad management server 114 can select anadvertisement from the advertisement database 102 according to the mediaprofile, advertisement profile associated with the advertisement, (orportions thereof) and the price for the advertising associated with themedia content. In further embodiments, the advertisement can bepresented with the media content at one of the playback devices 116-122.In some embodiments, the advertisement can be delivered via unicast to aset top box communicatively coupled to a playback device or to theplayback device. In additional embodiments, the advertisement can bemulticast to a several different playback devices or a set top box. Infurther embodiments, the ad management server 114 can provide theadvertisement to the media content server. In some embodiments, the settop box, ad management server 114 or media content server 110 can insertthe advertisement into the media content. In other embodiments, theadvertisement can be embedded within the media content, be presentedproximate to, or overlaid on top of the media content. In additionalembodiments, multiple advertisements can be obtained by the admanagement server 114, media content server 110 or set top box andbidding results can determine which ad is provided with the mediacontent. In further embodiments, the media content can be unicast,broadcast, multicast, with or without the advertisement (if without theadvertisement, then the advertisement can be inserted y the admanagement server 114, set top box of playback device 116-122).

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can analyze themedia content using image recognition techniques, voice recognitiontechniques, or text recognition techniques to identify an item in themedia content. The item can be a good or service offered by anadvertiser. In some embodiments, the ad management server 114 can selectthe advertisement for the media content based on the advertisementhaving a correlation to the item. That is, the ad management server 114can select an advertisement for the media content for the item itself, acomplementary item, or for a competing item. For example, if the mediacontent includes an item associated with a fast food chain restaurant,then an advertisement for the fast food chain restaurant can beselected. In another example, an advertisement for a soda company can beselected because soda can be a complementary item to fast food. In afurther example, an advertisement for a competing fast food chainrestaurant can be selected. A competing fast food chain restaurant maypay a higher price for advertising associated with the media content todiminish the market for its competitor with the media content viewingaudience.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can detect thetype of playback device presenting the advertising and can select theadvertisement to be associated with the media content according to thetype of playback device. For example, if the ad management server 114detects that playback device 122, which is a smartphone, is receivingand presenting the advertisement, the ad management server 114 canselect an advertisement that can be viewed easily on a display of thesmartphone rather than another advertisement that may be better viewedon a larger display of a television playback device 116 (e.g. lessresolution vs. more resolution).

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can detect thetype of playback medium in which the advertisement is presented and canselect the advertisement to be associated with the media contentaccording to the type of playback medium. For example, if the admanagement server 114 detects that playback medium is streaming mediacontent, then the ad management server 114 can select an advertisementthat can be embedded within the streaming media content. As anotherexample, if the ad management server 114 detect that the playback mediumis broadcasting the media content on a television playback device 116,then the ad management server 114 can select an advertisement that canbe overlaid on or presented proximate to (e.g. as a banner) thebroadcast of the media content.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can accessviewership metrics from the viewership metrics database 106 provided bythe viewership metrics server 112. The viewership metrics can indicatethe viewership of previous presentations of the media content or relatedmedia content (e.g. past episodes) as well as previous advertisementsassociated with the previous presentations of the media content or therelated media content. Viewership metrics can include an amount ofpeople viewing media content or advertisements as well as demographicinformation of portions of the viewership. The viewership metrics canalso include the historical viewership of the previous presentations ofthe media content and related content as well as the historicalviewership of previous advertisements for the previous presentations ofthe media content or related media content as well as a level ofinteraction between viewers and previous advertisements. The admanagement server 114 can select the advertisement for the media contentaccording to the any one of the viewership metrics including historicalviewership of previous presentations of media content, previousadvertisements associated with the media content, or level ofinteraction with previous advertisements. Thus, the ad management server114 can select the advertisement when a viewership metric satisfies apredetermined threshold (e.g. below a threshold, above a threshold,within a range, etc.).

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can determinethe level of interaction of previous advertisements associated withmedia content. That is, the previous advertisements have an interactioncapability such as being selected by a remote control device when theprevious advertisement is presented on a television playback device 116or being selected by a user input device when the previous advertisementis presented on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone playback device 118-122.If a number of the people interacting with one or more previousadvertisements satisfies a predetermined threshold (e.g. below athreshold, above a threshold, etc.), then the ad management server 114can select the same advertisement or an advertisement with a similaradvertisement profile/ad metrics.

In one or more embodiments, the viewership metrics stored in theviewership metrics database 106 provided by the viewership metricsserver 112 or the ad metrics stored in the advertisement database 102provided by the advertisement server 108 can also include the viewershipgoals for either the media content or for one or more advertisements.The ad management server 114 can select an advertisement according tothe viewership goal of the advertisement and the viewership goal of themedia content. For example, if the viewership goal of the media contentis to reach an audience of 1 million viewers between age of 21-35 andthe viewership goal of ad advertisement is to also reach an audience of1 million viewers between age of 21-35, then the ad management server114 can select the advertisement to be associated with the mediacontent. In some embodiments, the viewership goal of the advertisementcan be larger than the viewership goal of one particular media content.In such embodiments, the advertisement may be presented in associationwith two or more media content to achieve the advertisement viewershipgoal (the total viewership goal of the two or more media content isequal to or more than the viewership goal of the advertisement).

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can implement amachine learning algorithm to select advertisements according to variousparameters described herein including, but not limited to, a mediaprofile, media metrics, advertisement profile, ad metrics, price, bids,type of playback device, type of playback medium, viewership metrics,and level of previous ad interaction. In some embodiments, the machinelearning algorithm is trained on a training data. Thereafter, themachine learning algorithm selects advertisements according to theparameters and the training data. Further, the machine learningalgorithm updates its selection criteria based on the level ofinteraction or viewing of the selected advertisements. For example, ifone selected advertisement for media content has a high level ofinteraction, then the ad management server 114 can select anotheradvertisement for a future presentation of the media content with asimilar advertisement profile. The machine learning algorithm is updatedto indicate that the advertisement profile associated with the highlevel of interaction. However, if one selected advertisement for mediacontent has a low level of interaction, then the ad management server114 can select another advertisement for a future presentation of themedia content with a different advertisement profile. The machinelearning algorithm is updated to indicate that the advertisement profileassociated with the low level of interaction. As another example, if oneselected advertisement for media content has a high level of viewership,then the ad management server 114 can select another advertisement for afuture presentation of the media content with a similar advertisementprofile. The machine learning algorithm is updated to indicate that theadvertisement profile associated with the high level of viewership.However, if one selected advertisement for media content has a low levelof viewership, then the ad management server 114 can select anotheradvertisement for a future presentation of the media content with adifferent advertisement profile. The machine learning algorithm isupdated to indicate that the advertisement profile associated with thelow level of viewership. In some embodiments, machine learningincorporates what is considered “good” advertisement selection that caninclude taking into account implicit feedback, explicit feedback, andcollaborative filtering. Implicit feedback can include taking intoaccount advertiser's bidding history and past selection of media contentto be associated with an advertisement. Explicit feedback can includepost advertisement survey results from advertisers of the effect of theadvertisement (clicks of the advertisement, purchase of product orservice after advertisement is presented, increasing market share,company profit increase, market reputation, or any other related changesafter advertisement is presented, etc.) Collaborative filtering caninclude taking into account competitor's or same industry company'schoice of media content for their advertisements.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can access themetadata of the media content from the media content database 104provided by the media content server 110. The ad management server 114can analyze the metadata to determine its own media profile and selectadvertisement according to the media profile. In some embodiments, thead management server 114 can obtain the advertisement profile of anadvertisement from the advertisement database 102 and provided by theadvertisement server 108. In such embodiments, the ad management servercan select the advertisement based on the media profile and theadvertisement profile being similar or complementary.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can analyze themedia content using image recognition techniques to recognize visualcontent as well as voice recognition techniques to recognize audiocontent. Thus, by recognizing the visual content and the audio content,the ad management server 114 can generate a media profile accordingly.Further, the ad management server 114 can select an advertisementaccordingly to the media profile or according to whether the mediacontent is similar or complementary to an advertisement profileassociated with the advertisement.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 analyzes themedia content to determine a structure of the media content. Further,the ad management server 114 can place an advertisement within the mediacontent according to the structure of the media content. In someembodiments, determining the structure of the media content can includedetermining an end of a fast-paced scene (e.g. car chase) and abeginning of a slow-paced scene (e.g. a dialogue-filled walk in thepark). The ad management server 114 can place an advertisement betweensuch a fast-paced scene and the slow-paced scene.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can receive arequest from an advertiser to place an advertisement in a particularspace associated with the presentation of the media content or within aparticular time within the media content. In some embodiments, theadvertiser may request place an advertisement on a display during thepresentation of the media content below, above, overlaid on top of, orproximate to the presentation of the media content. In otherembodiments, the advertiser may request to place the advertisementwithin a certain time period, or after certain visual content or audiocontent, within the media content. In further embodiments, the admanagement server 114 can place the advertisement according to therequest from the advertiser. In additional embodiments, the admanagement server 114 can determine the price for the advertisementaccording to the placement of the advertisement.

FIGS. 2A-2B depicts illustrative embodiments of a system for selectingadvertisement based on media profiles and advertisement profiles.Referring to FIG. 2A, in one or more embodiment, an ad profile 202 foran advertisement can be obtained by an ad management server 114 from anadvertisement database 102 via an advertisement server 108. The adprofile 202 can include several ad metrics such as the amount oflaughter 201 and people 203 in the advertisement. Further, an ad metriccan be whether the advertisement is in an outdoor 205 environment. Inaddition, another ad metric can be whether the advertisement contains acar 207.

In one or more embodiments, a media profile 204 for a particular mediacontent can be obtained by an ad management server 114 from a mediacontent database 104 via a media content server 110. The media profile204 can include several media metrics that can be the same metrics asthe ad metrics such as the amount of laughter 209 and people 211 in theadvertisement. Further, a media metric can be whether the advertisementis in an outdoor 213 environment. In addition, another media metric canbe whether the advertisement contains a car 215. In other embodiments,the media metrics can include similar or complementary metrics to the admetrics.

In one or more embodiments, the ad metrics 201-207 and the media metrics209-215 can be scored on a scale of 0-100. The score for each metric canbe based on different criteria such as the percentage of time piece ofcontent is within an advertisement or media content. For example, a 30second advertisement may be particularly funny such that there islaughter 80% of the time. Continuing with the example, the media contentcan be a two minute scene in which laughter is present for 80% of thetime.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can select theadvertisement according to the ad profile 202 and/or the media profile204. For example, if three of the four metrics are within 20 points ofeach other, the ad management server 114 may select the advertisementassociated with the ad profile 202 to be presented with the mediacontent associated with the media profile 204.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can obtain adviewership goals from the viewership metrics database 106 via theviewership metrics server 112. The ad viewership goals can includeviewership metrics for certain demographics such as males 18-25 years ofage 217, females 18-25 years of age 219, males over 25 years of age 221,and females over 25 years of age 223. Viewership metrics can be scoredfrom a scale of 0-100 based on criteria. For example, the score can bethe percentage of the demographic in a particular market.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 can select anadvertisement to be presented with a particular media content accordingto the ad viewership goals 206 and/or historical viewership of theprevious presentations media content, related media content (e.g. pastepisodes), or previous advertisements. For example, if a previouspresentation of the media content had historical viewership that waswithin 20 points of the viewership goal for three out of four viewershipmetrics of the ad viewership goals, then the ad management server 114may select the advertisement associated with the ad viewership goals 206to be presented with the media content.

Referring to FIG. 2B, in one or more embodiments, the ad managementserver 114 can implement a pricing mechanism 254 that may includerequesting bids from multiple advertisers for placing an advertisementfor particular media content. Such request for bids can be sent to anadvertisement server 108. In further embodiments, the ad managementserver 114 receives a bid 252 from some or all of the advertisers forplacing an advertisement with the media content. The ad managementserver 114 can select an advertisement associated with the highest bid.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 detects a typeof playback device 258 for each of multiple playback devices 260. Insome embodiments, the ad management server selects an advertisementaccording to the type of playback device. For example, an advertisementwith visual effects may be better to be presented on a playback devicewith a bigger display such as a television. In another example,advertisement with a large amount of dialogue is better to be presentedon a playback device with a smaller display such as a smartphone. The admanagement server 114 can select the highest bid among a subset of bidsfor a type of advertisement that may be best suited for a particularplayback device. For example, the ad management server 114 may selectthe advertisement with the highest bid among advertisements with visualeffects to be presented on a television with a particular media content.Continuing with the example, the ad management server 114 may selectadvertisement with the highest bid among advertisements with a largeamount of dialogue to be presented on a smartphone with the sameparticular media content.

In one or more embodiments, the ad management server 114 detects a typeof playback medium 256 for each of multiple playback devices 260. Insome embodiments, the ad management server selects an advertisementaccording to the type of playback medium. For example, a banneradvertisement that can be overlaid on or presented proximate to mediacontent may be better to be presented on a broadcast playback medium. Inanother example, scene advertisement (an ad that acts out a scene) isbetter to be embedded in a streaming playback medium. The ad managementserver 114 can select the highest bid among a subset of bids for a typeof advertisement that may be best suited for a particular playbackmedium. For example, the ad management server 114 may select theadvertisement with the highest bid among banner advertisements to bepresented with a particular media content in a broadcast playbackmedium. Continuing with the example, the ad management server 114 mayselect advertisement with the highest bid among scene advertisements tobe embedded in the same particular media content in a streaming playbackmedium.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 300 used inportions of the system described in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B. In one or moreembodiments, the method 300 can be implemented by an ad managementserver. The method 300 can include the ad management server, at 302,determining a media profile for media content. The media profile cancomprise a media metric for each of a plurality of portions of the mediacontent resulting in a plurality of media metrics. Further, the method300 can include the ad management server, at 304, determining a pricefor advertising associated with the media content. In addition, themethod 300 can include the ad management server, at 306, identifying anadvertisement profile for each of a plurality of advertisementsresulting in a plurality of advertisement profiles. The advertisementprofile can comprise an ad metric for each of a plurality of portions ofan advertisement resulting in a plurality of ad metrics. Also, themethod 300 can the ad management server, at 308, include selecting anadvertisement associated with an advertisement profile from theplurality of advertisements according to the media profile, theadvertisement profile, and the price for the advertising associated withthe media content. Further, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, at 309, providing the advertisement to be presented with themedia content at a playback device.

In one or more embodiments, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, at 310, notifying a plurality of advertisers requesting a bidfor the advertising. Further, the method 300 can include the admanagement server, at 312, receiving the bid from each of the pluralityof advertisers resulting in a plurality of bids. In some embodiments,selecting the advertisement comprises selecting the advertisementaccording to a first bid associated with the advertisement, wherein thefirst bid is highest among the plurality of bids.

In one or more embodiments, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, at 314, identifying or determining an item presented in themedia content. Further, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, a 316, determining a correlation with the item. In someembodiments, a correlation the determined item in the media contentitself or can a competing to the item determined within the mediacontent. In addition, the method can include the ad management server,at 318, determining an advertisement for the item. In furtherembodiments, selecting of the advertisement can be based on thecorrelation to the item.

In one or more embodiments, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, at 320, detecting a type of playback device for theadvertisement. In some embodiments, selecting of the advertisement cancomprise selecting the advertisement according to the type of playbackdevice. In further embodiments, selecting the advertisement according toa type of playback device can be in response to detecting the type ofplayback device for the first advertisement. In additional embodiments,the method 300 can include the ad management server, at 322, detecting atype of playback medium for the media content. In some embodiments,selecting the advertisement comprises selecting the advertisementaccording to the type of playback medium for the media content.

In one or more embodiments, the method 300 can include the ad managementserver, at 324, determining historical viewership of previousadvertisements associated with the media content or related mediacontent. In some embodiments, the selecting of the advertisementcomprises selecting the advertisement according to historical viewershipof previous advertisements associated with the media content or relatedmedia content. In further embodiments, the method 300 can include the admanagement server, at 326, determining historical viewership of themedia content or related media content. In other embodiments, theselecting of the advertisement comprises selecting the advertisementaccording to historical viewership of the media content or related mediacontent. In additional embodiments, the method 300 can include the admanagement server, at 328, determining a level of interaction ofprevious advertisements associated with the media content or relatedmedia content. In some embodiments, selecting of the advertisementcomprises selecting the first advertisement according to the level ofinteraction of the previous advertisements.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 3, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein. Further, portionsof or entire embodiments can be combined with portions of or entireother embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400for providing various communication services, such as delivering mediacontent. The communication system 400 can represent an interactive medianetwork, such as an interactive television system (e.g., an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) media system). Communication system 400 canbe overlaid or operably coupled with systems 100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1and/or 2A-2B as another representative embodiment of communicationsystem 400. For instance, one or more devices illustrated in thecommunication system 400 of FIG. 4 can be ad management server 430.Embodiment can include determining a media profile for media content.The media profile comprises a media metric for each of a plurality ofportions of the media content resulting in a plurality of media metrics.Further embodiments can include determining a price for advertisingassociated with the media content. Additional embodiments can includeidentifying an advertisement profile for each of a plurality ofadvertisements resulting in a plurality of advertisement profiles. Theadvertisement profile comprises an ad metric for each of a plurality ofportions of an advertisement resulting in a plurality of ad metrics.Also, embodiments can include detecting a type of playback device forthe advertising associated with the media content. Further embodimentscan include selecting a first advertisement associated with a firstadvertisement profile from the plurality of advertisements according tothe media profile, the first advertisement profile, the price for theadvertising associated with the media content, and the type of playbackdevice. Additional embodiments can include providing the firstadvertisement to be presented with the media content at the playbackdevice.

In one or more embodiments, the communication system 400 can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 410 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 411 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 411 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 414 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 412according to a multicast communication protocol. The VHS 414 candistribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 418 tocommercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing a gateway 404 (suchas a residential or commercial gateway).

The access network 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical linksor copper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 400 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as ad management server (hereinreferred to as ad management server 430). The ad management server 430can use computing and communication technology to perform function 462,which can include among other things, the techniques described by method300 of FIG. 3. For instance, function 462 of ad management server 430can be similar to the functions described for ad management server 114of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300 of FIG. 3. The media processors406 and wireless communication devices 416 can be provisioned withsoftware functions 464 and 466, respectively, to utilize the services ofad management server 430. For instance, functions 464 and 466 of mediaprocessors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can be similar tothe functions described for the communication devices 116-122 of FIG. 1in accordance with method 300 of FIG. 3.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and communication system400 as another representative embodiment of communication system 400.

Embodiments can include determining a media profile for media content.The media profile comprises a media metric for each of a plurality ofportions of the media content resulting in a plurality of media metrics.Further embodiments can include determining a price for advertisingassociated with the media content. Additional embodiments can includeidentifying an advertisement profile for each of a plurality ofadvertisements resulting in a plurality of advertisement profiles. Theadvertisement profile comprises an ad metric for each of a plurality ofportions of an advertisement resulting in a plurality of ad metrics.Also, the embodiments can include selecting a first advertisementassociated with a first advertisement profile from the plurality ofadvertisements according to the media profile, the first advertisementprofile, and the price for the advertising associated with the mediacontent. Further embodiments can include providing the firstadvertisement to be presented with the media content at a playbackdevice.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 520 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 520.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 520 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The ad management server 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled tocommunication system 500 for purposes similar to those described above.Ad management server 430 can perform function 462 and thereby provideadvertisement management services to the CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505 ofFIG. 5 similar to the functions described for ad management server 114of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300 of FIG. 3. CDs 501, 502, 503 and505, which can be adapted with software to perform function 572 toutilize the services of the ad management server 430 similar to thefunctions described for communication devices 116-122 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 300 of FIG. 3. Ad management server 430 can be anintegral part of the application server(s) 517 performing function 574,which can be substantially similar to function 462 and adapted to theoperations of the IMS network 550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 of acommunication system 600. Communication system 600 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2,communication system 400, and/or communication system 500 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of systems 100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1 and/or2A-2B, communication system 400, and/or communication system 500. Theweb portal 602 can be used for managing services of systems 100, 200,250 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B and communication systems 400-500. A webpage of the web portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communicationdevice such as those described in FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B and FIGS. 4-5.The web portal 602 can be configured, for example, to access a mediaprocessor 406 and services managed thereby such as a Digital VideoRecorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an ElectronicProgramming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such as personal videos,pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the media processor 406. Theweb portal 602 can also be used for provisioning IMS services describedearlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phoneservices, and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 462-466, and 572-574 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B, and communication systems400-500. For instance, users of the services provided by server 114 orserver 430 can log into their on-line accounts and provision the servers110 or server 430 with training data such that can utilize machinelearning to select advertisements for media content as described herein.Service providers can log onto an administrator account to provision,monitor and/or maintain the systems 100, 200, 250 of FIGS. 1 and/or2A-2B or server 430.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B,and FIGS. 4-5 and can be configured to perform portions of method 300 ofFIG. 3.

Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, apower supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 718, anorientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 702 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 702 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 708 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 718can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 700.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices of FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B, the media processor 406, the mediadevices 408, or the portable communication devices 416 of FIG. 4, aswell as the IMS CDs 501-502 and PSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will beappreciated that the communication device 700 can also represent otherdevices that can operate in systems of FIGS. 1 and/or 2A-2B,communication systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gaming console anda media player. In addition, the controller 706 can be adapted invarious embodiments to perform the functions 462-466 and 572-574,respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. Other embodiments can be used in the subjectdisclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the ad management server 430, the mediaprocessor 406, databases 102-106, servers 108-114, and playback devices116-122 and other devices of FIGS. 1-7. In some embodiments, the machinemay be connected (e.g., using a network 826) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in a server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 mayfurther include a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 800may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units810 controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 810, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the device, facilitate performance of operations,the operations comprising: identifying media content to be presented toa group of playback devices; determining a media profile associated withthe media content; identifying a first playback device of the group ofplayback devices and identifying a second playback device of the groupof playback devices; determining a first playback medium associated withthe first playback device and determining a second playback mediumassociated with the second playback device, wherein the first playbackmedium comprises a broadcast playback medium and the second playbackmedium comprises a streaming playback medium; identifying a firstadvertisement according to the media profile, the first playback device,the second playback device, the first playback medium, and the secondplayback medium; determining a viewership metric associated with thefirst advertisement that satisfies a viewership metric thresholdresulting in a first determination; determining a level of interactionassociated with the first advertisement that satisfies a level ofinteraction threshold resulting in a second determination; and based onthe first determination and the second determination, multicasting, overa communication network, the first advertisement to be presented withthe media content at the first playback device and at the secondplayback device, wherein the multicasting comprises providing the firstadvertisement and the media content within the broadcast playback mediumto the first playback device and providing the first advertisement andthe media content within the streaming playback medium to the secondplayback device, wherein the first playback device presents the firstadvertisement proximate to the media content during broadcast playback,wherein the second playback device presents the first advertisementembedded within the media content during streaming playback.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise determining a pricefor advertising associated with the media content, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to the price.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe operations comprise identifying a first item within visual contentof the media content utilizing image recognition, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to the first item.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations comprise identifying a second item within audiocontent of the media content utilizing voice recognition, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to the second item.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the identifying of the first advertisement comprises identifyingthe first advertisement according to a type of playback device inresponse to detecting the type of playback device for the firstadvertisement.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein identifying of thefirst advertisement comprises identifying the first advertisementaccording to historical viewership of previous advertisements associatedwith the media content.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the operationscomprise determining a level of interaction associated with the previousadvertisements resulting in a third determination, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to the third determination.
 8. A non-transitory,machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: determining afirst playback medium associated with a first playback device of a groupof playback devices and determining a second playback medium associatedwith a second playback device of the group of playback devices, whereinthe first playback medium comprises a broadcast playback medium and thesecond playback medium comprises a streaming playback medium;identifying a first advertisement according to a media profileassociated with media content to be presented to the group of playbackdevices, the first playback device, the second playback device, thefirst playback medium, and the second playback medium; determining aviewership metric associated with the first advertisement that satisfiesa viewership metric threshold resulting in a first determination;determining a level of interaction associated with the firstadvertisement that satisfies a level of interaction threshold resultingin a second determination; and based on the first determination and thesecond determination, multicasting, over a communication network, thefirst advertisement to be presented with the media content at the firstplayback device and at the second playback device, wherein themulticasting comprises providing the first advertisement and the mediacontent within the broadcast playback medium to the first playbackdevice and providing the first advertisement and the media contentwithin the streaming playback medium to the second playback device,wherein the first playback device presents the first advertisementproximate to the media content during broadcast playback, wherein thesecond playback device presents the first advertisement embedded withinthe media content during streaming playback.
 9. The non-transitory,machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operations comprisedetermining a price for advertising associated with the media content,wherein the identifying of the first advertisement comprises identifyingthe first advertisement according to the price.
 10. The non-transitory,machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operations compriseidentifying a first item within visual content of the media contentutilizing image recognition, wherein the identifying of the firstadvertisement comprises identifying the first advertisement according tothe first item.
 11. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim8, wherein the operations comprise identifying a second item withinaudio content of the media content utilizing voice recognition, whereinthe identifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying thefirst advertisement according to the second item.
 12. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to a type of playback device in response todetecting the type of playback device for the first advertisement. 13.The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 8, whereinidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying the firstadvertisement according to historical viewership of previousadvertisements associated with the media content.
 14. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein theoperations comprise determining a level of interaction associated withthe previous advertisements resulting in a third determination, whereinthe identifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying thefirst advertisement according to the third determination.
 15. A methodcomprising: determining, by a processing system including a processor, afirst playback medium associated with a first playback device of a groupof playback devices and determining, by the processing system, a secondplayback medium associated with a second playback device of the group ofplayback devices, wherein the first playback medium comprises abroadcast playback medium and the second playback medium comprises astreaming playback medium; identifying, by the processing system, afirst advertisement according to a media profile associated with a mediacontent to be presented to the group of playback devices, the firstplayback device, the second playback device, the first playback medium,and the second playback medium; determining, by the processing system, aviewership metric associated with the first advertisement that satisfiesa viewership metric threshold resulting in a first determination;determining, by the processing system, a level of interaction associatedwith the first advertisement that satisfies a level of interactionthreshold resulting in a second determination; and based on the firstdetermination and the second determination, multicasting, by theprocessing system, over a communication network, the first advertisementto be presented with the media content at the first playback device andat the second playback device, wherein the multicasting comprisesproviding, by the processing system, the first advertisement and themedia content within the broadcast playback medium to the first playbackdevice and providing, by the processing system, the first advertisementand the media content within the streaming playback medium to the secondplayback device, wherein the first playback device presents the firstadvertisement proximate to the media content during broadcast playback,wherein the second playback device presents the first advertisementembedded within the media content during streaming playback.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, comprising determining, by the processing system, aprice for advertising associated with the media content, wherein theidentifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying, by theprocessing system, the first advertisement according to the price. 17.The method of claim 15, comprising identifying, by the processingsystem, a first item within visual content of the media contentutilizing image recognition, wherein the identifying of the firstadvertisement comprises identifying, by the processing system, the firstadvertisement according to the first item.
 18. The method of claim 15,comprising identifying, by the processing system, a second item withinaudio content of the media content utilizing voice recognition, whereinthe identifying of the first advertisement comprises identifying, by theprocessing system, the first advertisement according to the second item.19. The method of claim 15, wherein the identifying of the firstadvertisement comprises identifying, by the processing system, the firstadvertisement according to a type of playback device in response todetecting, by the processing system, the type of playback device for thefirst advertisement.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein identifying ofthe first advertisement comprises identifying, by the processing system,the first advertisement according to historical viewership of previousadvertisements associated with the media content.